NCJ Number
160846
Date Published
1995
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings from a questionnaire on gang problems completed by 107 law enforcement agencies in Georgia.
Abstract
Regarding the nature of the gang crime threat in Georgia, two-thirds of the agencies report that gangs are a problem in their area, but mostly at a minor to moderate level. Drug sales, burglary, violence, graffiti, and car theft are the most often cited gang crime patterns. Three-fourths of the responding agencies believed gangs still attract mostly minority members; however, most agencies did not report Asian gangs in their area. The largest gangs were reported to be Crips, Folks, and Bloods. Respondents reported limited law enforcement resources to deal with the gang problem. Most agencies do not use a statewide gang tracking computer system, and over half of the agencies do not provide police with pre-service gang training. Few officers have been assigned full-time to the gang problem, even in jurisdictions reporting a significant number of gang members. Three-fourths of the agencies reported public housing in their areas, which was cited as a factor associated with having a gang problem. Findings are also reported on the Chicago-based Gangster Disciple gang connection in Georgia, the characteristics of the law enforcement sample surveyed, and beliefs about the gang problem and how it should be addressed. 9 tables and 10 references